For Immediate Release:

Thursday, June 9, 2005

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) today announced that she has secured $250,000 in the Senate Appropriations bill for the WSU Beach Watchers Program. The Beach Watchers program is a volunteer-driven organization that works to protect and raise awareness of the local marine environment.

“I am pleased to be able to support the great work of the Beach Watchers program,” Senator Murray said. “One of the reasons that Washington state is such a great place to live is because of its natural beauty and pristine environment. The Beach Watchers program is a great example of local community coming together to preserve that environment for generations to come.”

Since the program was founded in 1989, 242 volunteers in Island County have become Beach Watchers by completing more than 100 hours of training through WSU Extension. In return, the volunteers commit to return at least 100 hours in community service. To date, Beach Watchers have returned more than 95,000 hours in volunteer service and public education to the community.

The $250,000 in funding secured by Murray passed the Senate Appropriations Committee today and will now go to the full Senate for consideration.